The Eagles two featured rookies, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin made big plays with the game on the line to help the Birds win their seventh game of the season.
Brian Westbrook went down to open the door for McCoy and Kevin Curtis went down to open the door for Maclin. It seems they have grown into their jobs and are getting better each week.
McCoy ran the ball well all afternoon long. the youngster did a great job of using his vision to find gaping holes in the defensive front.
He carried the ball 17 times for 76 yards, but it was his second effort late in the contest which proved to be a huge play in the game.
McCoy was the pass receiver and ball carrier on the two-point conversion, which tied the game.
He was hit immediately after he caught the ball and looked like he was headed to the ground.
Instead of going down and leaving the Birds down by two points, McCoy used one of his hands to keep his feet and ran it into the end zone.
“I just found a way,” McCoy said. “I couldn’t tell you how I did it. It’s just one of those things you just kind of do.”
Now let me tell you about Maclin and the solid job he did in the win.
The thing that is most surprising about a young receiver like Maclin is his sure hands. He’s consistent in catching the football, if it hits his hands.
With the game tied, Maclin got loose down the sideline and pulled in a 35 yard pass, which helped set up the winning the field goal.
McNabb pointed out that Maclin did a great job of not letting the defensive back know that the ball was coming. The youngster was tucking the ball away before the defender knew it.
He made some big catches with the game on the line when DeSean Jackson was in the lockeroom with a concussion.
“It felt good. First, to know that [QB] Don [Donovan McNabb] had the confidence to throw the ball to me, especially after [WR] Jason [Avant] came up big today. It felt good to go out there and make the play, just being reliable to your quarterback.”
